GENERAL PURPOSE DIGITAL DATA PROCESSOR, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

The invention provides improved data processing apparatus, systems and methods that include one or more nodes, e.g., processor modules or otherwise, that include or are otherwise coupled to cache, physical or other memory (e.g., attached flash drives or other mounted storage devices) collectively, “system memory.” At least one of the nodes includes a cache memory system that stores data (and/or instructions) recently accessed (and/or expected to be accessed) by the respective node, along with tags specifying addresses and statuses (e.g., modified, reference count, etc.) for the respective data (and/or instructions). The tags facilitate translating system addresses to physical addresses, e.g., for purposes of moving data (and/or instructions) between system memory (and, specifically, for example, physical memory-such as attached drives or other mounted storage) and the cache memory system.

主权项

1. A digital data processor or processing system comprising
a plurality of nodes that are communicatively coupled to one another, at least one of the nodes including a cache memory that stores at least one of data and instructions that are at least one of accessed and expected to be accessed by the respective node, and system memory that includes the cache memory of multiple ones of said plurality of nodes and that includes a mounted storage device communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of nodes, wherein the cache memory of said at least one node additionally stores tags specifying addresses for respective data or instructions in the system memory, said addresses forming part of a system address space that is common to the system memory including multiple ones of the plurality of nodes and to the mounted storage device.